Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: In Old Testament days kings, prophets, and priests were anointed with oil to set them apart in a special sense for God and His service.

The oil symbolized the Holy Spirit coming upon them both to set them apart and also to give them special divine enablement. (Google image, Anointing a priest). [This is a great post for further reading]

The word Christ is the counterpart Greek term for the Hebrew "messiah." Both words mean "anointed one." "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and . . . he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him" (Acts 10:38).

The term Christian identifies us as followers of Jesus Christ, the Anointed One.

Scripture applies the term "anointing" to all who belong to Christ. We are not only following the Anointed One; we are ourselves anointed. Every Christian, whether lay or ordained, has the scriptural privilege to appropriate the spiritual content of the term for himself. God wants every Christian to live an anointed life.

J. Elder Cumming writes:

"The anointing is the Holy Ghost himself . . . He comes to be the anointing oil upon us and within us. Jesus of Nazareth was anointed—not by Him, but with Him . . .

How striking, then, is the thought that we are the anointed ones of God! Messiahs of the new dispensation! Christs of God! 'Ye have an anointing'; the same anointing as the Lord had. And we bear it in our names, as He did. He was called Christ, and we are called Christians. The anointed followers of the Anointed One.

He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come (2 Cor. 1:12-22).

He that anointed us is God (2 Cor. 12:1).

You have an anointing from the Holy One (1 John 2:20).

The anointing you received from him remains in you, and you

do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as the anointing is real, not counterfeit—

just as it has taught you, remain in him" (1 John 2:37).

If you lack the realization and benefits of the Spirit's anointing you are living a subnormal, spiritually deprived life. You are living below your privilege as a Christian. No Christian has the right to lower the average level of church life by living an unanointed life.

Certainly no Christian leader dare demean and debase Christ's cause or Christian leadership by living an unanointed life and exhibiting an unanointed leadership.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Used by permission of the author and Duewel Literature Trust, Inc., Greenwood, Indiana. Creative reading style by Jean.

Ablaze for God
#81 You Can be an Anointed leader
by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
(pp. 251- 252) ZondervanPublishingHouse

Details on the King’s Oil by Perry Stone

A great post to explain the anointing oil's origin and use in the Old Testament, and how Christ fulfills it today.

The Power of Worship in Spiritual Warfare by Bill Johnson
Excellent video!

Pray everyday

Father, as we are anointed and belong to Christ, the Anointed One, help us live anointed lives.
The Holy Ghost has set His seal of ownership on us, and has put Your Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
If we find that we lack Your Spirit's anointing, and we're living a subnormal, spiritually-deprived life, please have someone remind us that it is a privilege as a Christian to live an anointed life.
As leaders, we need Your anointing to accomplish what You've appointed us to do. Without it, little will be done for the Kingdom. This we now understand.
Baptize us afresh! In Jesus' name we ask, Amen.

Today's Bible verses-

Is. 58:11 (KJV) "And the LORD shall guide thee
continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make
fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden,
and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not."

Prov. 16:20 (KJV) "He that handleth a matter wisely
shall find good; and whoso trusteth in the LORD,
happy is he."

Acts 3:19 (NIV) "Repent, then, and turn to God, so
your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing
may come from the Lord."

Today's quotes:

~ Victoria Boyson- "Satan has come to kill steal and destroy, but be of good cheer. Our LORD has OVERCOME THE WORLD! (Jn. 10:10; Jn. 16:33) Our heavenly Father has the right to govern mankind, because He first created us and then again sent His Son to save us (Jn. 3:16). He is our true Ruler and we will need to choose who we will serve: God or satan? (Joshua 24:20) Do you want to rebel against the Lordship of God and govern yourself or will you surrender to the King of kings and Lord of lords? Because to the pure, He shows Himself pure, but to the wicked, He is hostile, (Ps. 18:26). Victoria Boyson www.victoriaboyson.com

~ Kelly Balarie- "With a clear heart and a ready Spirit, I am now ready to:

1. Cling to God’s promises

2. Dwell on truth, life, and hope.

3. Attune my ear to listen.

4. Be attentive to the Spirit’s promptings.

5. Spend time with God, before I do work on my own stuff.

6. Rest in God.

7. Expect the best from a God who loves me.

8. Ask God what to do next.

9. Give thanks.

10. Lift all glory right back to God.

What about you? Do you feel full of peace and life or are you running on empty or spinning your wheels? Why not turn back to the Spirit of life?"

(From 3 Ways You May Stifle God, Purposeful Faith

Startingpointsearies.com A great series of 8 videos by Andy Stanley, on starting over again in our faith, and learning to be more solid in the faith we've had since childhood. He compares religions, and shows us the true value of Christianity. It is great for doubters, non-believers as well as those who have faith to some degree.

List of recent sermons of CFC ministers. CFC Potsdam church has a live service at 10 am Sunday's for shut-ins. If for some reason you can't make it to the church you usually attend, click on the above link, and still get fed!